Greenwood Lake, West Milford, Vernon

A Scene You Should Make

Story and photos by Mary Jasch

Situated half in New Jersey and half in New York, Greenwood Lake
is not about political boundaries. It is a state of mind, a Highlands
destination in the with the biggest water in the New York area.

Beyond the shade of old sugar maples on its northern shore, Greenwood
Lake stretches and waves for six to nine miles, depending on who you
talk to. This glassine water body, made for pleasure, supports every
water sport a visitor can think of – swimming, diving, fishing,
water skiing, jet skiing, and boating by sail, canoe, kayak, paddle,
motor, row, and skull.

Greenwood is an important lake in the Skylands region. Historically
known as a resort community and playground for celebrities – Cecil
B. deMille, Babe Ruth, the Jeter family, and others in sports and the
arts – Greenwood Lake still offers adventure, fun, and relaxation
for families and singles. It and the surrounding Town of Warwick and
nearby Vernon have everything a vacationer could want for a weekend
or a week: entertainment, night life, antiquing, a wine trail, outdoor
concerts, festivals, boutique shopping, restaurants with lakeside dining,
cozy inns, plenty of outdoors activities, and hiking in national and
state parks.

A tour around Greenwood Lake reveals where to have some fun. From
17A south, turn right onto East Shore Drive to check out the East Arm
of the lake. A boathouse on the right houses the East Arm Rowing Club,
an organization that teaches new members, provides skulls, and sponsors
a spring regatta on the lake. Along the drive, notice several marinas
that rent slips for boats and also rent the boats themselves.

Pass flashy restaurants of various styles. A 1914 castle at water’s
edge, complete with haunting by ghosts of a past owner’s mistress
and wife, has waterside dining and live music on the dock, beach volley
ball, and for those who prefer indoors, a dining room with colorful
murals and a wall of windows to watch the action on the lake.

Moorings at Greenwood Lake. Photo by Mary Jasch

Staying close to the lake, the road rises and runs along a hillside
between woodland above and the lake below. The hillside is part
of the 15,973-acre Sterling Forest State Park with hiking, fishing,
boating, and scheduled guided events (845-351-5907). On the other side
of Sterling Forest, on Route 17A, the New York Renaissance Faire, open
weekends August 4 through September 23, occupies 35 acres of Elizabethan
pleasure givers and seekers – Shakespearean performers, jousting
knights, jugglers, musicians, magicians, artisans, and food and drink
of the Middle Ages. A lady may find her knight in shining armor amid
the romance. After all, its "Where Fantasy Rules!”

But back to the lake! Soon a grand home appears on Chapel Island
where, years ago, a church accessible only by boat held services until
it burned. Now the island is home to a judge and local orchard owner.
In this Forest Knolls section of the lake, garages become the most
visible structures on the road because the houses are down by the lake.
Tree-lined hilly streets, and the lake as backdrop for stone and log
houses with well tended gardens, lend a European flair to these private
communities with their own beaches. So, if you want to swim, go to
the town beach at Morahan Waterfront Park in the Village of Greenwood
Lake.

High country at Bearfort State Park. Photo by Mary Jasch

At about half-way down the lake, enter West Milford, New Jersey.
Soon you will drive over the Wanaque River, the sole outlet of the
lake. The river flows to Monksville Reservoir, then on to Wanaque Reservoir.
Here, the Ryerson family dammed the lake in the 1830s, flooding several
farms to create the southern half of the lake. (First, Peter Hasenclever,
Long Pond ironmaster, dammed the middle of the lake in 1765.) Ryerson’s
son was involved with the Morris Canal and Banking Company. After that,
luxury steamboats plied the new lake, bringing visitors to the new
grand hotels and resorts built on its shores. Rob Sparks, GIS Specialist
for West Milford’s Planning Department, calculates that the current
body of Greenwood Lake is 7.6 miles long at 620 feet elevation. By
contrast, Upper Greenwood Lake on Bearfort Mountain is entirely a man-made
lake at 1,100 feet elevation.

This lengthy lake gets a lot of boating action. It’s even perfect
for sailing and paddle-boating. Has the thought of learning to sail
sailed across your mind? Here’s the perfect opportunity. At the
T-intersection, turn right onto Greenwood Lake Turnpike. South Shore
Marina, on the right, offers doable, inexpensive sailing lessons. They
also rent pontoon boats! Want to learn how to fly? Take Airport Road
to the left and find Greenwood Lake Airport. Take a ride in a small
plane or sit in the Crossroads Café and watch take-offs and
landings while you enjoy lunch. Next to the airport, check out what
was once "Jungle Habitat,” a defunct Warner Brothers drive-thru
safari open in 1972 and closed four years later after a wild cat killed
a man. The sign and other artifacts remain, as do some interesting
plantings of exotic species meant to enhance habitat of exotic animals.
Most is overgrown now but it all makes hiking there fun, and some established,
marked trails exist. To get maps for them, contact the New
York-New Jersey Trail Conference. Another wonderful place to
hike is Bearfort Mountain which runs along the western side of Greenwood
Lake. The mountain is part of the Abram S. Hewitt State Forest with
exciting trails. This New Jersey-style adventure hike has fabulous
views, fun rock-climbing, streams to ford, boulders to hop, waterfalls
and habitats to explore, and lots of wild plant and animal life to
watch for. It’s one of the Garden State’s best. Get a map
from the NY-NJTC. Ringwood State Park and the New
Jersey Botanical Garden, New Jersey’s official botanical garden, are to the southeast.

Back along the lake, check out Brown’s Point Park designed
for a round of Frisbee or "disc golf” or a quiet picnic
with kids who can swing in the playground A little further drive brings
you into the center of West Milford with lots of stores for everything
you need. After the diner, turn right onto Lakeside Road (Route 210)
which hugs the lake back to the Village. Along the way, note
stately homes, more marinas, and restaurants and clubs with lakeside
dining and entertainment.

In the mid 1960s and early ‘70s, when the New York drinking
age was 18, Greenwood Lake’s streets were crowded with teens
from New Jersey who came to the 80 plus bars and clubs here, according
to locals. Now, most of the village’s nightlife is on the lake – and
in summer, most bars and restaurants feature live bands outside on
docks, where visitors can steer their boat right in.

"The restaurants and bars that survived the ‘60s now continue
the tradition of live entertainment on the lake,” says Tricia
Anton, co-owner with husband, Robert, of Anton's
on the Lake ,
a 12-room hotel built in 1875.

In town, turn right onto Windermere Avenue that dead ends at the
Greenwood Lake Public Beach. In summer, swimming, sunning, and getting
married in the gazebo are the beach’s major attractions. Evening
brings concerts, Saturdays at 7:30. Other festivals of note are Breezy
Point Inn Winter Carnival, Annual Boat Parade, the Greenwood Lake Fall
Festival, Classic & Wooden Boat Show, sponsored by The Antique & Classic
Wood Boat Society in July, and Applefest in Warwick. Approximately
2,000 families live year-round in the Village of Greenwood Lake, one
of three villages (and seven hamlets) in the 104 square-mile Town of
Warwick.

On a recent spring day at Anton’s, a young man and woman were
married. "A lot of people have gotten married here over the years,” says
Anton, who arranges weddings. "They bring the bride in by boat
and they get married on the front lawn.” In fact, three years
ago Anton’s cousin called from England to say she was coming
to America to elope in Las Vegas. Anton told her she could get married
in Greenwood Lake, right at her hotel. When the family arrived, they
were brought in by boat up the lake and married on the lawn. "I
did the whole wedding,”
says Anton. "My husband was captain of the boat and my son was
best man. I was matron of honor. All the boats were beeping their horns.
Her father told me it was like a fairy tale wedding.” Anton’s
Annex has cozy rooms with country flair with a puffy bed - the kind
you want to cuddle up in. The rooms are cheery and well-arranged with
three bottles of wine, a whirlpool and wine glasses on the side table.

For an excursion to Vernon, for the day or week, take 17A toward
Warwick. Bellvale Creamery on the top of Bearfort Mountain is a "must-stop,” even
for hikers on the Appalachian Trail, which passes through from New
Jersey into Harriman State Park. Their ice cream is beyond fabulous,
attests this writer – homemade
– with dangerously addictive, yummy flavors, (one with chunks
of fudge inside) and the view over Warwick is great. Anton picks up
hikers here who call ahead to stay a night or two off-trail for a bit
of luxury – a comfy bed and shower.
"We all like to live vicariously through the hikers. We’ve
met so many nice people,” says Anton, who has taken them to get
new boots and to doctors. "We shuttle them around. We do it because
we like it.” If a visitor wants to do a one-way hike, Greenwood
Lake Taxi Service will take her to the trailhead, or to Mountain Creek
or any nearby attractions.

In Warwick, turn left onto Route 94 and head toward Vernon. But while
still in Warwick, another must-stop is Ochs Farm up the hill on the
left for home-grown fruits and veggies and their very own peanut butter
with honey, the best you will ever taste, bar none. For that alone,
it’s worth the trip. You can explore the Warwick area for farms,
pick-your-owns and wineries – many with live music outdoors.

Tricia Anton sums it up, "The border between New York and New
Jersey is a very open one, because at the end of the day you can’t
chop mountains in half. It’s more of a filter that allows people
to explore New York and New Jersey.”

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Comments

Janet20 Jun 2017, 12:00

PLEASE SENT EVENT INFO

Bobby 27 Nov 2016, 11:42

Mt. Lakes Inn was located lakefront, right next to Happy Landing. This
was back in the '50's. My grandparents had lakefront property on Storm
Road,
across from Storm Island. (It was known as Skunk Island at the time). All
my summers were spent there until '59. My parents used to go to the Hi
Spot Tavern, across the street & above Mt. Lakes Inn, all the time. They
were close friends of Madeline & "Doc" Gordon, who owned the Hi Spot.
Does anyone know when the Hi Spot closed & whatever happened to Madeline &
Doc?

B. Basile09 Aug 2016, 19:08

I used to go to Mountain Lakes Inn. I graduated with a Louis Belle and his
uncle owned it. Does anyone know where it was located? This was back in
the 1960"s.

I am desperately looking for anyone who remembers Greenwood Lake Motel and
Cottages. It was there in the 1960's and owned by a woman named Alice
White. My mother Anita Williams managed the motel in the mid 1960's. I
was curious to know if anyone ever stayed there or knows any information
about it. It was located right next to the Continental Restaurant. I have
no clue what it is now. It was turned into a disco in the 70's and then I
know nothing. It would really be great to hear from someone who knew the
motel or stayed there. Thanks and hoping to hear from someone.

Does anyone remember the north shore marina in greenwood lake N.Y. My dad's
cuz glen slater used to own it . I grew up there on the lake in the late
late 70s and 80s . I had great times there . Family picnics , swimming ,
boating . It was the best of times . Now my grandmother and grandfather
slater have passed away and glens mom Loraine :( I miss them so much .also
, does anyone remember the a&w ? That was on the jersey side . By awosting
. On Marshall hill and greenwood lake tpke ? My mom worked there as a car
hop waitress . I can't believe they had a boat hop too . That's so cool .
The good old days .wish I was alive then to have experienced that . Well
anyway , would love to hear more about greenwood lake :) .
Thanks,
Jennifer

Ginny Graham08 Aug 2013, 12:34

@Kathy- yes you can rent a pontoon boat on greenwood lake at the Greenwood
Lake Marina. they have full day and half day rentals. My husband and I
did it just a few weeks ago and had a lot of fun.

Gloria16 Jul 2013, 20:56

OMG all the wonderful memories come back. My grandparents owned a log cabin
on Lakelands Ave. I went every summer. The nightclubs with the best band on
the NY side were The Shamrock, and of course Mt.Lakes Inn. Andres was a bar
mostly populated by NJ crowds who went just to get drunk. The upscale place
was the Linden House and for big summer dances The Brandon House. I
remember cruising on Windermere Ave. when we got our cars, then stopping
for ice cream. Afterwards we played miniature golf and archery. Gloria

Kathy05 Jul 2013, 17:53

My mom would like to take a boat ride around the lake. Are there any tour
boats on the lake these days? She and my dad built a house in Forest
Knolls. She wants to see it from the lake side, which was the front.\r\nAny
ideas on how we can do this would be helpful. Not sure if the two of us are
capable of renting a boat?

gloria Mc07 Jun 2013, 15:03

I wish Gloria Listner left a phone number or e-mail. I know where the
bungalows were that she is looking for. The bars in greenwood lake were:
Mother's, the Hi- spot, the Castle tavern (they made huge
hamburgers),Grecks, Rainbow Inn, Murphys to name some of them. Wish I could
remember more.

bob deininger26 Apr 2013, 10:02

The bars were filled with new jersey guys and guys who lived there,fight
happened all the time.I had a family home to crash in back in the 50-60s
then we sold.we were by the rainbow room,spec's place,,a dump

bob deininger26 Apr 2013, 09:59

yup mountain lake inn,saw the knockuts there,on the other side of the lake
were 3 bars,we went there from Teaneck N.J every errkend,it was 18 to
drink,we drank,had fights and danced away every wekend in the 60s

Harry C.25 Apr 2013, 18:29

Does anyone remember the name of some of the clubs/bars on Greenwood lake
in the 60's? I remember one of them was T.G.s. The Unknowns, later known
as Truth used to play there in the mid/late 60s early 70's.

trader mike31 Mar 2013, 19:36

yep the bungalows were moved, some.. near the old a and w root beer stand
others were off beach rd edin acers now under water.

Gloria Listner03 Sep 2012, 09:36

Does anyone remember the Listner family who had a bungalow near Brown's
Hotel back in the 1930's? We're trying to find the location of the
bungalow. Thanks.

Marty Berberin19 Aug 2012, 13:34

Is there still a bait shop in NJ?\r\n\r\nAnd is there a boat
launch?\r\n\r\nThank you,\r\n\r\nMarty Berberian

Joseph26 Feb 2012, 10:44

Hi,\r\n\r\nDo you have any early photos of the Awosting area. I'm
interested in what the shore line looked like, especially along Long Pond
Road.\r\n\r\nThanks

R. Markl12 Oct 2011, 14:19

Can you tell me on what days the lake will be drained to a lower level for
the winter?

DARLENE OLWECK01 Sep 2011, 05:35

PLEASE EXCUSE THE CAPS AND THE TYPOS AS I HAVE BAD EYESIGHT. THANK YOU
DARLENE

DEAR SUSAN SMITH, I LOVED YOUR GRANDMOTHER VERY VERY MUCH!!! SHE WAS A
WONDERFULL WOMEN. I KNEW HER WHEN I WAS A SMALL CHILD, AS MY MOM WAS A GOOD
FRIEND OF HERS. MY MOM'S NAME WAS ALICE GARRISON.I WENT ICE SKATING BY THE
BOAT HOP AND SHE WOULD GIVE ME HOT COCO AND WE WOULD TALK AND LAUGH; I
REMEMBER THAT SHE WOULD COOK FOR HER LITTLE DOG'S.SHE WAS SO SWEET,I'M SO
HAPPY THAT I WAS BLESSED TO HAVE KNOWN HER. I ALSO WORKED FOR HER AS A
TEENAGER AT THE BOAT HOP.WE HAD SO MUCH FUN.I STILL HAVE AN ICE CREAM SCOOP
SHE GAVE ME FROM THE BOAT HOP. EVERY TIME I USE IT I THINK OF HER.I ALSO
HELPED HER PAINT HER PARTYBOAT I WILL NEVER FORGET HER. I ALSO RENTED THE
BASEMENT APARTMENT AT THE RED ROOST REST WITH MY BABY SON.PLEASE EMAIL ME
BACK, I WOULD LOVE TO HER FROM YOU.I CAN't BELIVE THAT I FOUND YOU ON THIS
SITE AS I WAS TALKING ABOUT YOUR GRANDMOTHER TO MY GIRLFRIEND TWO DAYS AGO.
MAY GOD BLESS GERRI (I WILL ALWAYS LOVE HER) AND YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
PLEASE E MAIL ME AND I WILL GIVE YOU MY PHONE NUMBER. I LIVE IN GRENWOOD
LAKE DARLENE OLWECK

susan smith18 Aug 2011, 20:17

My Grandmother lived and owned the original boat hop the village bakery and
the Red Roost Restaurant in the 50 and sixties in Greenwood Lake NY.She was
a spunky energenic lady who stood 4feet 11inches tall. Her name was Gerri
Does anyone remember her or the boat hop?

Can someone please give me details on kayaking on the lake? Where to park?
Fees, etc? Thanks

Barbara27 Jul 2011, 14:01

What are the fees to swim for the day at Greenwood Lake? also, do you need
a permit to fish there?\r\n\r\n

Mike03 Jul 2011, 12:28

I want to use my inflatable fishing boat there. Please advise me where I
should launch it? Because I don't really need a real boat ramp, I hope to
launch it without much cost.\r\n\r\nThank you,\r\nMike

Steve25 Jun 2011, 19:26

Hey all \r\n\r\nCan someone help in finding the beach on greenwood lake NJ
side? I love this lake, but haven't found the beach so far. Let me know
please \r\n

Harry Dorsch14 Mar 2011, 13:32

I used to live on lakeside dr on the Jersey side of the lake right across
from Brown's Point. I sure miss the old lake and most of my friends from
there!!

A.G.06 Sep 2010, 14:07

By contrast, Upper Greenwood Lake on Bearfort Mountain is entirely a
man-made lake at 1,100 feet elevation.\r\n\r\nActually...no. Upper
Greenwood Lake is not an entirely man-made lake. It was a natural mountain
lake (the section in front of the club house and the Dover Cove drag)that
was expanded.

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